Managers are content after derby fixtures

All three club’s managers saw positive aspects to their sides’ displays following derbies between Stamford, Deeping Rangers and Blackstones.

The Daniels beat Stones 4-1 in the annual summer derby at Lincoln Road on Saturday with striker Jordan Smith bagging a hat-trick after Jordan Hempenstall’s opener.Andy Beech pulled one back for the UCL side.

Then on Tuesday, The Daniels drew 2-2 at Deeping Rangers in a much closer encounter.

Rangers took the lead through a Spencer Tinkler penalty and had the better of the first half before Alvin Jarvis levelled with a powerful header from a Shawn Richards corner.

Half-time substitute Jordan Smith then put Stamford ahead with a well-taken shot, low into the corner after he burst through the middle of Rangers’ defence.

Deeping equalised with a second spot kick, this time converted by Craig Parker.

Increasingly dominant in the second half, Stamford had several chances to make it three from three in their pre-season friendlies with skipper Richard Jones coming closest when he headed against the woodwork late in the game.

Stamford boss David Staff admitted his side’s first half display at outgang Road was patchy.

He said: “One or two were not at their best. We wanted to win and the lads are disappointed.

“We tried something different and the lads have to be able to solve problems in games but it did not work in the first half.

“The second half was better and Dan Lawlor and Jordan Smith did well.”

Deeping boss Tuncay Korkmaz was impressed by his side’s display.

“We kept the ball very well,” he said. “I am definitely happy with the way we played.

“Pre-season at our level is difficult because you don’t always get the whole squad together but I think for UCL level we are looking as good as we could be.”

Despite going down to their cross-town rivals, Stones boss Dave Stratton was also pleased with how his squad, rebuilt almost form scratch, is coming together.

Stratton said: “I am quite impressed. We have a lot of new players and if we play like that, when the players do know each other well, then I think we will not be far away when the season starts.

“They looked sharper and fitter than we did but we were fitter than I thought and the lads had listened to what I said about organisation.”

- Wakes boss Darren Munton has brought a host of new faces to the Abbey Lawn including a quartet of former Oakham players.

Alex Brockbank, has turned down Blackstones in favour of Bourne, and he has been followed from the Peterborough and District league side by Eddie McDonald, Stu Lambie and Richard Nelson.

King’s Cliffe’s Lewis Hall has also joined Munton’s side and the boss said: “We have lost Tom Waumsley and Tom Caldicott but we have good options.”

Bourne lost their opening warm-up game 6-1 to Yaxley but fared better against Newark, losing 2-1 with Brockbank on the scoresheet.

- Stamford host Holbeach United at Kettering Road tomorrow and Deeping are away at Mildenhall. Stones’ next match is against Whittlesey on August 3.

- Deeping begin their UCL Premier Division fixtures at home to AFC Rushden and Diamonds on August 10.

Blackstones will begin life in the first division with a home match against Potton United, while Bourne Town take on Thrapston Town at home.